So much for 12 posts!

as soon as finals finished this past week sickness came upon my whole house, even little Jocelyn! so I have been recovering, helping the girls and the hubby feel better, and trying to catch up to christmas! sunday? seriously? this year I feel like the christmas season slipped through my fingers. So this post is just a song I heard on the radio, that has been ministering to my heart this past week. Enjoy!

Isaiah 7:14:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

As of tomorrow I will be a free woman to truly enjoy the holiday season- school work free! this semester has really flown by! though I no longer have the crazy nesting instinct that inspired me to redo the girls nursery before Jocelyn was born, I do have a desire to do some crafts, and once school is out I'm hoping to make up some fun Christmas decorations. So we have some tunes ( see day 1) now lets decorate!
For instance....
These Cranberry Ball decorations are simple, beautiful, colorful, and in expensive!

 

or once the christmas decorations go on sale, I will be making this:

Or how about some Silhouette stockings? Make one for Jocelyn when she is the same age as Ariella, so two, and I think they will be cherished for years to come!

And a few touches for the tree.....

I thought this was a great way to remember everywhere you lived- even if it is not the original key!

Button Garland!

I tried to give credit were it was due, but I found all these pictures on Pinterest.com. If you want to see all the holiday ideas brewing in my head, go here to see my silver bells board!

In a few days I will be crafting, hope you join me in making some decorations of your own!

Rachel

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing real loud for all to hear!

A friend of mine once told me that ( ;
So for the first post of Christmas, I thought it would be fun to share a top 10 christmas album list. Now, for all music snobs out there, this is not a ultimate list, but includes mainly alot of new albums I found and have spinning in my player this year. There is no way you can top a classic Bob Hope silver bells or Elvis Presley Blue Christmas, but these CD's sure spread some cheer you might not hear on the radio. Enjoy!

 10. A Charlie Brown Christmas- Vince Guaraldi Trio

Gotta have some Charlie Brown for Christmas! "What Child Is This" and "The Christmas Song."  are included on this Sixties piano jazz.

9. Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas sing along- Surfjan Stevens

This album reminds me of winding through the snowy California mountains on our tour bus. in the mood for a chill, Indy christmas with your hipster friends? this is the CD to pop in.

8.   Home for Christmas- NSYNC

Haha How can I resist! If the holidays are about nosolgic feelings, this CD brings me back to fourth grade, decorating my room with paper snowflakes and christmas lights! have a little fun this holiday. And if you think they are to old school for your taste, maybe try Justin Biebers Christmas album. Look at those clean shaven faces! ah it makes me laugh.

 

7. Relient K- Deck the Halls, Bruise your Hands

Again, how about some fun Nostalgic music? Though I still enjoy this band, it is again a blast from the past for me. But serious tracks such as " I celebrate the day" round up the silly album with a very worshipful, Christ focused message. Want more? they also have a second christmas album out, "let it snow, let it reindeer"

6. Oh For Joy- David Crowder Band

 I was quite stoked when I heard David Crowder made a Christmas CD, and must admit I was slightly disappointed when I heard it. Short but sweet, the CD is enjoyable though perhaps because it' David Crowder.

5.  Phil Wickham- Songs for Christmas

Perhaps I am a bit late in the game, but this is the year I stumbled across Phil Wickham. His worship albums offer some originality to the genre, so I assumed his Christmas album would likewise be good, and I was not disappointed.

4.Comfort & Joy: Christmas 3- Folk Angel

Another beautiful Folk Christmas along the likes of number nine, only much more Christ focused. Plus, there are two volumes before this one, so check them out too. Quite possibly my favorite rendition of Joy to the world can be found covered by these guys.

3. Christmas- Michael Buble

 
 And all the girls swoon. I have not listened to anything Michael before, but I must say this is one solid Christmas album. The voice, the attitude, just makes you wanna decorate your tree, drink hot chocolate and curl up with your special someone.

2. A Very She & Him Christmas- She & Him

 

Who didn't fall in love with that cute blond elf's voice in the movie elf? Well here she is, back to the natural brunette but same beautiful voice. Though there is no cover of Santa Claus is coming to town, I love "The Christmas Waltz" and the seemingly backwards rendition of "Baby it's cold outside"

1. Behold the Lamb of God- Andrew Peterson and Friends

I went to this Christmas concert when I was 18 and fell in love with this CD. It maps out the whole story of Christmas, not just the birth. Beautifully done Album with a Folk  feel and even  a fun genealogy track.

So go ahead, deck the halls while the music is jammin! Did I miss any of your favorites, or must haves? I am always looking for something new to add to my collection! 

Rachel

I had an encouraging meeting with a couple of my professors today. The point of the meeting was to see if  I would be accepted into my department or not, but when you write papers for the same people and see them three days out of the week, they know you without knowing you. It was nice to be able to share some of our story and where we are headed and where we have been.
         Hm, I don't know how to write this without seeming prideful, or indulgent in the approval of man. But my professors seemed impressed with How we are handling things and our goals and direction.  And honestly, it was encouraging. Often in my head all I hear is the conflicting voice;

your being a bad mom because your going to school;
                                                                                    you should quit and focus more on the girls;
you don't belong;
                               your trying to do too much;              you'll never make it the mission field;
you guys are headed in the wrong direction;
                                                                           Basically, a constant wind of doubt.
But In reality, I'm making A's and B's. The girls are emotionally and physically healthy. Chris and I are learning the beauty of teamwork in a marriage. We truly believe God has called us here, and we truly believe God is the giver of life and gave us these beautiful girls.  There are students who have been so supportive and helpful by babysitting for free.. God is providing, paving a way, He is our provider... not just financially, but in every situation. And perhaps this is our testimony, and we don't tell our story enough. perhaps it is not bragging, but witnessing.
And this witnessing is what combats the doubts.